Seed-cleaning machine.



O. F. KIME.

SEED CLEANING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 21,1913.

1,122,765, Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

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0. F. KIME.

SEED CLEANING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED mm: 21,1913.

1, 1 22,765. Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

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0. F. KIME.

SEED CLEANING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 21, 1913.

1,1 22,765, Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

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ORVILLE F. KIME, 0F CRESTLINE, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE INTERNATIONAL MANU-FAGTURING COMPANY, OF CRESTLINE, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

SEED-CLEANING IVIAGI'IINE.

Application filed June 21, 1913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ORVILLE F. KIME, a citizen of the United States, anda resident .of Crestline, county of Crawford, and State of Ohio, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Seed-Cleaning Machines, ofwhich the following is a specification, the principle of the inventionbeing herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplatedapplying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

The present invention deals with an improved mechanism for cleaning thescreens and increasing the efficiency of a seed cleaning machine of theusual type which is in such common use that it is unnecessary todescribe it in detail.

T o the accomplishment of this and related ends, said invention thenconsists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawingsand the following description set forth in detailcertain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed meansconstituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which theprinciple of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a seedcleaning machine having my improved mechanism attached. thereto; Fig. 2is a similar elevationshowing the opposite side to that illustrated inFi g. 1; Fig. 3 is a section taken inside of the frame and looking inthe same direction as in Fig. 1; and Figs. 4 and 5 are sections showingthe details of the construction, the sections being illustrated by thelines 4c4 and 55 respectively in Fig. 3.

The general construction of the machine can be best seen from Figs. 1and 2. A suitable frame 1 is provided, substantially rectangular inelevation, and in this frame there are movably mounted the screens forcleaning the seeds and also the blast mechanism for removing the lightermaterials when they have been separated from the seeds. The machine inits general arrangement and construction is identical with othermachines previously in use, and as these machines are widely used it isunnecessary to describe at length either the particular construction orthe operation of the mechanism.

In the frame 1 there is rotatably mounted Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

Serial No. 775,079.

a driving shaft Q-adapted to be driven through a belt 3 by any suitablepower means. Parallel to the driving shaft there is mounted a secondshaft 5 which extends transversely of the frame and is connected todrive the screen operating mechanism to be hereinafter described, theshaft 5 being driven from the shaft 2 by suitable connections such as abelt 15.

Upon suitable cross-bars 16 in the fram there are pivotally attachedsupporting membersli which pivot-ally support a carriage 7, suchcarriage being provided with inclined guiding slots 8 in which there areremovahly mounted screens 9 and 10, the upper 9 of the two screens beingof a coarse mesh, while the lower 10 of the two screens is of much finermesh.

The means for reciprocating the carriage upon which the screens aremounted, consist of eccentrics 70 attached to the driving shaft 2 andoperating in circular eccentric straps 11 attached to rods 12 which arepivotally attached to the carriage. Rotation of the driving shaftreciprocates the carria e rapidly and through a very short distance,thus shaking the material which is placed upon the upper screen througha hopper 14 attached to the upper part of the frame and controlled bymeans of a slide 71 operated through a rack 17 and a gear 18, the gearbeing provided with a knurled nut 19 to serve as a handle. The action ofthe upper screen is to permit the seeds to fall through the apertures,while the larger material such as small stones, sticks, etc, is carriedto the vertically lower end of the screen, the screens being inclined inthe carriage, such waste material then being dis- 7 charged at the sideof the machine through a chute 20 which is attached to the carriage atthe lower end, and extends through an opening 21 in the side of theframe. The action of the lower screen is to some extent exactly likethat of the upper in that the seeds are permitted to fall through thescreen, after which their disposition is similar to the usual methods ofsuch'machines. A fan 22 is provided in the frame to produce the blast inthe passage formed by the walls 23, the fan being suitably connected tothe driving mechanism. The waste material which is not permitted to dropthrough the second screen is discharged at the end of 1 carriage 7.

the same, through a second chute 24 which delivers at the oppositesideof the frame. It is considered unnecessary to describe at greaterlength the operation of the screens and the means for producing theblast and controlling the same, since these means are well known in theart.

- It is desirable to clean the screens at intervals during the operationofthe machine, as they become filled with broken seeds and the wastematerial which is not shaken down to the lower end of the same. For thispurpose I have provided brushing means which are movably mounted in theframe and operated whenever it is desired, from the driving shaft.- Uponeither side of the frame 1, there is mounted a guide upon which there isslidably mounted a crosshead 31, such cross-heads being connected framethrough slots 33 in the sides of the The rods 32 are rotatably mountedin the cross-heads, and at right angles to either rod there are attachedother rods 34 which are pivotally attached to the side members 35 of acarrier, such carrier extending in a direction substantially parallel tothe direction of the screens, there the forward end of the frame.

being two side members at either side of the framefeach of which isattached by means of the rods mentioned, to the cross-heads. .Beneaththe carrier there is rotatably mounted a shaft 86 which is controlled bymeans of an arm or handle 37 slidablyand adjustably engaging a guide 38in the form of an are attached to one of the cross-members on Asetscrcw' 39 is provided for the, purpose of fixing the position of thehandle on the arc. Attached. to the shaft are two lever arms 40 whichare bent at right angles thus permitting them to move in the slots 41which are cutvertically in the sides of the frame. To the outer ends ofsuch rods are attached two bars 42 which are slidable in a verticaldirection in'sockets 43 attached to the sides of the frame, such bars 42being attached to guides or tracks 44, which support the side carrierbars of the frame 35, by rods extending through other slots 41 "in theframe." One guide 44, supports each carrier side bar, the latter, beingslidable thereon. The shaft 5 is driven from the power shaft by means ofthe belt 15, and is provided at the other side of the machine "with abevel gear 51 which engages a second and similar bevel gear 52 attachedto a short vertical shaft 53, such shaft being provided at its upper endwith a worm 54engaging a worm gear 55 attached to a third shaft 56rotatably mounted transversely in the frame and extending through eitherside of the'same. To such third shaft 56 are attached short radiallyextending arms 57 i which are pivotally attached to connecting rods 58,the latter being pivotally attached to the cross-heads 31 sliding on theguides 30. Rotation of the power shaft 2 thus simultaneously operatesthe second shaft 5, and through this the third shaft 56 which therebyreciprocates the carrier upon its guides. The screens are formed in aplurality of compartments by means of transverse partitions 60, and theside bars 35 of the carrier are provided with notches or'sockets 61 inwhich there are removably placed brushes 62, each brush being sodisposed that it will operate across the entire surface of a singlecompartment in the screen upon operation of the mechanism, and willtravel lengthwise with the meshes of the screens.

It is scarcely necessary to describe the operation of the screens andthe brushes at greater length, as the operation of the power shaftreciprocates the screens rapidly and through a short distance, while itsimultaneously reciprocates thecarrier bearing the brushes more slowlyand through a greater distance whereby each brush is permited to operateacross the entire surface of its corresponding compartment in thescreen.

and in practice the screens will be brushed at definite intervalsdepending upon the amount of waste material which tends to clog upthesmall openings in the screens.

\Vhen it is desired to restrain the operation of the brushes on thescreens, this can be done by moving the handle 87 attached to the shaft36 into its upper position, thus lowering the brushes away from thescreens and preventing any contact between them.

By moving the handle into its lower position, the brushes are raiseduntil they contact the screens with a suitable pressure when the handlemay be maintained in this position by adjusting the set-screw 39. Thepivotal connection between the reciprocating cross-heads and the carrierpermits uninterrupted operation of the carrier upon its guidesirrespective of the position of the guides.

The rods 45 are held in engagement with gards the mechanism hereindisclosed, prothe rods 42 by set screws 80, this attachment vided themeans stated by-any of the following claims or the equivalent of suchstated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In a machine of the character described, the combination of areciprocatory mounted screen disposed at a slight angle to thehorizontal; a guide track mounted par allel to said screen; means,including vertically disposed and movable rods, adapted to move saidguide track to vary the distance betwen the same and said screen and tomaintain the same in such parallel relation; and a brush-receivingcarrier reciprocably mounted on said guide track.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination of areciprocably mounted screen disposed at a slight angle to thehorizontal; a guide track mounted parallel to said screen; means,including vertically disposed and movable rods. adapted to move saidguide track to vary the distance between the same and said screen and tomaintain the same in such parallel relation; a brush-receiving carrierreciprocably mounted on said guide track; and means adapted toreciprocate said carrier irrespective of the position of the latter withrespect to said screen.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination of areciprocably mounted screen; a guide track mounted parallel to saidscreen; means adapted to move said guide track to vary the distancebetween the same and said screen and to maintain the same in suchparallel relation; a brush-receiving carrier reciprocably mounted onsaid guide track; a crosshead mounted to reciprocate at an angle to theplanes of said screen and said carrier; and pivoted link connectionsbetween said crosshead and said carrier, wherebv the latter mav bereciprocated irrespective ofv the position of the same with respect tosaid screen.

4. In a machine of the character described. the combination of areciprocably mounted screen disposed at a slight angle to thehorizontal; a support mounted vertically; a guide track attached to saidsupport and mounted parallel to said screen; a bruslrreceiving carrierreciprocablv mounted on said guide track; means adapted to va iouslvposition said support longitudinallv, thereby varying the distancebetween sa d carrier and said screen; and means adapted to reciprocatesaid carrier, irrespective of the position of the latter with respect tosaid screen.

5. In a machine of the character described, the combination of areciprocably mounted screen; a support mounted at substantially rightangles to said screen; a

guide track attached to said support and parallel to said screen; abrush-receiving carrier reciprocably mounted on said guide track; apivoted lever suitably connected to said support and adapted when swungto variously position the same longitudinally; and means adapted toreciprocate said carrier, irrespective of the position of the latterwith respect to said screen.

6. In a machine of the character described, the combination of areciprocably mounted screen; a support mounted at substantially rightangles to said screen; a guide track attached to said support andparallel to said screen; a brush-receiving carrier reciprocably mountedon said guide track; a pivoted lever suitably connected to said supportand adapted when swung to variously position the same longitudinally; acrosshead mounted to reciprocate at an angle to the planes of saidscreen and said carrier; and pivoted link connections between saidcrosshead and said carrier, wherebv the latter mav be reciprocatedirrespective of the position of the same with respect to said screen.

7. In a machine of the character described. the combination of areciprocablv mounted screen; vertically disposed slidablv mounted suppoting rods; a guide track attached to said rods and disposedsubstantiallv parallel to said screen; a brush-receiving carrierreciprocablv mounted on said guide track: means adapted to position saidrods. thereby varving the distance between said carrier and said screen;and means adapted to reciprocate sa d carrier irrespective of theposition of the latter w th respect to said screen.

8. In a mach ne of the character described. the combination of areciprocablv mounted screen; vertically disposed sl dablv mountedsupporting rods: a guide track attached to sa d rods and disposedsubstantially parallel. to said screen: a b ush-reciting carrierrecinrocablv mounted on said guide t ack; a shaft connecting sa dsupporting rods: a pivoted lever suitahlv connected to said shaft andadapted when swung to variouSlV pos tion the same: and means including across head. mounted to reciprocate at an ang e to the planes of said sceen. and pivoted link connections connect ng such cross head and saidcarrier, adapted to reciprocate sa d carrier irrespective oi theposition of the latter with respect to said screen.

Signed by me, this 10th day of June, 1913.

ORVILLE F. KIME.

Attested by CHARLES DEWALD,

W. MONTIETH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each. by addressingthe Commissioner of tfi Washington, D. C."

